Judges across the country are facing increasing threats as partisanship escalates. In recent years, the number of threats against federal judges has surged, with Louisiana’s judges not immune from this troubling trend.
Since 2015, federal judges and other court officials have received over 4,500 serious threats, a 400% increase. According to a survey of state judges, 80% agree that it is more dangerous to be a judge.
Instead of flack from disgruntled litigants, the virulence now emanates from people unhappy with judicial rulings on hot-button political issues. This historic level of harassment goes to the “very heart of the law and the fair administration of justice,” one judge told Congress. Judges and other court personnel should never face threats, intimidation, or retaliation for doing their jobs.
These growing dangers not only compromise the safety of these officials but also undermine the integrity of the judicial system. It is essential that our judges be allowed to rule based on the law, free from intimidation.
Understanding the Stakes of Judicial Elections in Louisiana
Unfortunately, Louisiana is part of a national trend where judicial elections are being flooded with outside money. Special interest groups pour millions into judicial campaigns, distorting the process with misleading ads and big-dollar contributions.
The Brennan Center for Justice has tracked the influx of money in judicial races, noting how this trend has grown since the 1990s. Louisiana has seen its share of big spenders, attempting to reshape the judiciary to favor certain interests. The 2016 Louisiana Supreme Court election set an overall record for the state at nearly $5 million and a state TV spending record of $2.5 million.
Why State Judicial Elections Matter in Louisiana
It is essential for Louisiana voters to understand the stakes. Judicial elections across the country have become a battleground, with special interest groups and big business pouring millions into campaigns to sway the courts in their favor. Unfortunately, this trend threatens the constitutional guarantee of a fair trial and impartial judiciary—values that should be cherished and protected in Louisiana as well as across the nation.
There may be outside interests fund judicial candidates who may not prioritize the rights of ordinary citizens. By electing judges who align with corporate interests, these groups are attempting to tip the scales of justice. This can result in weaker protections for workers, consumers, and patients—people who need a fair and impartial court to stand up for their rights. That could mean that your fundamental rights—like protections against medical malpractice, defective products, and unsafe working conditions—stand the risk of being undermined.
What You Can Do to Be an Informed Voter
It’s crucial for Louisiana voters to be informed as they head to the polls. The state’s courts should remain a bulwark for fairness, not a pawn for political or financial interests. Our judges must continue to uphold impartiality, protect citizens’ rights, and safeguard the state’s most vulnerable.
With 2024 being a significant election year, including numerous contested judicial seats, here’s how Louisiana voters can stay informed:
- Follow the money. This is not always easy, as some organizations take advantage of lax disclosure laws to hide contributions. To thwart such efforts, an organization called Open Secrets has a massive database that reveals the economic interests behind contributions to elections.
- Look under the hood. Don’t rely on sensational or misleading television ads. Consult multiple sources, including biographical information, news accounts, and campaign materials. Look for nonpartisan organizations (often state bar associations) that publish performance ratings based on legal knowledge, personal integrity, judicial temperament, administrative skill, and public service.
- Don’t vote based on one ruling. Instead, assess a judge’s entire performance. Our system of justice depends on impartial courts that protect everyone’s rights, even when a decision is controversial. If courts start yielding to political pressure rather than a good-faith interpretation of the law, your rights might be compromised by future rulings.
- Finish the Ballot. Voters often skip judicial races because they are uninformed about the judges running and feel they shouldn’t vote. Yet, judicial elections and retention votes are critical to ensuring our courts are fair and impartial. Become informed with the resources mentioned above, and be sure to vote!
Your role in protecting an impartial and fair judiciary has never been more critical. The courts should remain a place where every citizen has a fighting chance and where justice is determined by the law—not by money or political pressure. And you can do that by exercising your right to vote.